'Followed By Japan Sinking Into The Sea...' The Consequences Of Default As Explained By 'The West Wing'

Allen St. John
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With the government in shutdown and on the brink of default, perhaps it's time for a civics lesson from The West Wing. In season five, the government did shut down (more on that in a moment.) But a federal default? Even a series in which Lily Tomlin can get hired as the President's secretary couldn't contemplate something that insane. No episode arc, just a classic Toby Ziegler speech:

"You know, the immediate collapse of the U.S. Economy. Followed by Japan sinking into the sea. Followed by a worldwide depression the likes of which no mortal can imagine. Followed by Week Two."

As for the federal shutdown faced by President Bartlet in Season Five, then, as now, it was about the budget. But then, a shutdown was viewed as a doomsday scenario--note the tympani crash normally reserved for bank commercials--rather than business as usual in Washington.

How did it get resolved? After a series of bungles, deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman suggests that Bartlet surprise Speaker of the House Hafley by paying a visit to Capitol Hill. On foot. The tactic worked, forced Hafley to come to the White House hat in hand, where he and the President hammer out not a Continuing Resolution, but an actual budget. Yes, folks, this is just a television show.